textproduct: Rapid City

KEY MESSAGES

-Accumulating snowfall possible today through early Saturday where 2 to 4" of snow are possible across northwestern SD.

-Very cold temperatures today and Saturday with highs in the teens to 20s and lows below zero.

-Warmer and drier to start off next week

DISCUSSION

(Today Through Thursday) Issued at 231 AM MST Fri Dec 12 2025

Main forecast concern for today into tonight will be accumulating snowfall, primarily across northwestern SD, the Black Hills, and south central SD. With the cold front most of the way through the CWA, temperatures across northwestern SD have plummeted into the single digits to low teens while temperatures across the far southern portions of the CWA are still in the mid to upper 30s. Winds have picked up in the past few hours with some stations reporting gusts of 40 to 45 mph. Cold air will continue to push into the region through this morning with highs in northwestern SD struggling to get out of the single digits.

Current radar depicts light snow falling across most of the CWA with rain still falling in far southwestern SD. Light snow will continue through this morning into the afternoon with northeastern WY, the Black Hills, and foothills picking up minor accumulations of up to 1 to 2". A second wave will push through the region later this evening into the overnight hours. Modest 850-700mb FGEN and ample moisture will support the development of a snow band across northwestern SD. Overnight accumulations of 2 to 4" are expected, therefore have opted to hoist a Winter Weather Advisory for northwestern SD for overnight tonight into early Saturday morning.

Cold air lingers through Saturday with lows Friday night dipping into the low teens to single digits across much of the CWA and temperatures in the negatives across northwestern SD. Wind chills early Saturday morning could reach 20 below in some spots in northwestern SD. Highs on Saturday will range from the single digits across northwestern into south central SD to the teens to 20s across northeastern WY into the Black Hills and southwestern SD. After another frigid night Saturday into Sunday, temperatures will rebound through the day on Sunday as an upper level ridge builds over the western US and southerly return flow brings warmer air into the region. Highs in the low 50s are possible across northeastern WY into the Black Hills and southwestern SD. Temperatures will warm through the early week before the next system moving through late Tue/Wed will bring chances for precip and cooler air into the region.

AVIATION

(For the 12Z TAFS Through 12Z Saturday Morning) Issued At 336 AM MST Fri Dec 12 2025

Widespread MVFR/IFR conditions and -SN will continue across the forecast area through today into tonight. Transient LIFR conditions are possible in heavier bands of snow through the day today.

UNR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

SD...Winter Weather Advisory from 5 PM this afternoon to 8 AM MST Saturday for SDZ001-002-013-014-032-078. WY...None.